Aquino praises Tolentino

Despite the controversial dance incident connected to the chair of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in Laguna last week, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino defended resigned MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino by saying: “Francis is a firm advocate of Daang Matuwid. He knows that, at present, those who oppose meaningful reform will want to exploit the incident to remove him from the senatorial slate. I believe that Chairman Tolentino is doing his part to ensure that public debate truly focuses on the continuation of Daang Matuwid and the undeniable benefits it has brought to our Bosses.”

Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Mar Roxas said Tolentino’s latest action shows that Tolentino is a believer of the straight path.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also credited Tolentino for the good work he has done as MMDA chairman. He said Tolentino’s resignation is an act of delicadeza.

If the three LP leaders above believe in the praise they heaped on Tolentino, then there is no reason that he has to be dropped from the LP’s senatorial slate. President Aquino should include him in the final senatorial list of the LP.

It is good that Tolentino announced he is still running for senator. The ‘Playgirls’ dance issue will be forgotten after a few months.

People also point out that twerk dancing of scantily-clad women has long been performed on TV shows.

However, before the controversial dance performance, Tolentino had been receiving criticism on social media after his alleged early campaigning in Cebu amid Metro Manila’s worsening traffic woes. But Malacañang defended Tolentino saying that his provincial visits were part of his official functions as Metro Manila czar. There was also an allegation that Tolentino had been using government funds for his provincial sorties, which Malacañang also denied.

The question is: What are the basis of the three LP leaders that Tolentino had done his part as MMDA head and as an advocate of their administration’s slogan, if the people were lamenting his incompetence, distasteful penchant to publicize himself, and gross negligence of duty for preferring to visit cities outside his jurisdiction that prompted big workers groups to call for his resignation?

Thirty-three top officials of Cavite led by Gov. Jonvic Remulla Jr., Reps. Francis Abaya, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Alex Advincula, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Romy Loyola, Luis Ferrer IV and Abraham Tolentino, and 24 incumbent mayors endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Francis Tolentino.

Another Mindanao abduction

Italian restaurateur Rolando del Torchio is kidnapped from his restaurant in Dipolog. Coming after the Oceanview Resort Samal abduction and the kidnapping of Naga Mayor Gemma Adana of Zamboanga Sibugay, it looks like that abduction in towns with coastal fronts will be continuing as kidnappers using boats with high speed outboard motors can easily outrun police and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol vessel, and in 10 hours or less can reach Sulu.

Kidnappings in Sulu by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is understandable but not in Samal and Dipolog. No one in Mindanao is safe.

Arbitrary and illegal

 The United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has released on October 2 a finding that the continued detention of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is arbitrary and illegal under international law.

The five-member UN body urged the government to reconsider Arroyo’s petition for bail in accordance with relevant international human rights standards.

Lawyer Amal Alamuddin-Clooney said the UN opinion finds the detention of former President Arroyo violates international law and is arbitrary because the Sandiganbayan court failed to take into account her individual circumstances when it repeatedly denied bail, failed to consider measures alternative to pre-trial detention and because of the undue delays in proceedings against her.

It should be noted that all of Arroyo’s co-accused have been granted bail. The UN is correct in noting the undue delay in the trial of the case which has been pending for more than three years.

As expected, Secretaries Leila de Lima and Herminio Coloma issued statements saying that an international body has no right to interfere in legal proceedings conducted under Philippine law.

But definitely, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention decision is a black mark on the Aquino administration.

Tidbits

Vice President Jejomar Binay inducted 10,000 Visayan leaders into the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) at a grand meeting at the Cebu Coliseum organized by City Mayor Michael Rama. Toledo Mayor John Osmeña led the Cebu provincial leaders in attendance.

Judge and Mrs. Ceferino T. Ong celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last October 2 in Ozamis City. Vice President Jejomar Binay and Dr. Elenita Binay acted as principal sponsors.

Former President Gloria M. Arroyo is running for reelection as congresswoman of the 2nd District of Pampanga.

Lawyer Lorna Kapunan is running for senator.

Jaime Ramos, a barangay chairman, was shot dead in Rosario, Batangas.